Beyond School

Planning is essential to making successful transition to life beyond school, and that planning begins well before your child leaves high school. Transition is the term used in Special Education to refer to the planning process that happens with a student to help him or her prepare for life after high school—whether it is being prepared to enter the workforce or post-secondary education.

The transition plan is a road map that reflects a student's current aspirations and is intended to grow and change with the student as he or she progresses through high school. The primary areas of focus in transition planning are post-secondary education, employment, and living independence. The Special Education professionals at your child’s school are a good place to begin the planning process. The Monadnock Center for Successful Transitions (MCST) also has valuable information and resources for transition planning. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Transition planning generally begins between the ages of 14 and 16. When your child graduates from high school or reaches the age of 21, determination is made as to whether he or she is eligible for Adult Services. When eligibility is determined, he or she will be assigned a Service Coordinator at MDS who has a variety of tools and resources available to work with parents and individuals as they determine how their adult life will unfold.

Your Service Coordinator can help in organizing benefits, preparing for employment, finding housing and other supports to make the transition successful.